BEMIDJI, Minn. – In front of a rocking Chet Anderson Stadium, the No. 21/15 Bemidji State University Football team used that energy to build an early 17-0 lead. Central Washington then fought back scoring 21 unanswered to claim the 21-17 win over the Beavers in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs Saturday.
The game couldn't have started any better for Bemidji State (9-3). The Beavers got the ball first and then went on to score on their first three drives to build a 17-0 lead still in the first quarter.
Beginning the opening drive of the game at the BSU 35, the Beavers went right to work with Brandon Alt finding Jake Hill for the 21-yard completion. Following a 19-yard pass from Alt to Sage Booker moved the ball into the red zone, Booker would later finish the drive. Booker picked up six more on the ground before breaking free for the 10-yard touchdown for the early 7-0 lead just over two minutes in.
The defense held Central Washington (9-3) out near midfield to get the ball back at the BSU 12. The big play on this drive was Alt hitting Joey Baron in stride down the near sideline for a 74-yard gain all the way to the CWU 7. The drive would stall, but the Beavers converted the big play into three points when Marko Jovisic was good from 25 yards out for the 10-0 lead.
A quick three-and-out followed to give the Beavers the ball back at their 23. Jarrett Gronski picked up 13 yards on back-to-back runs before Alt was able to avoid pressure for a 17-yard scamper to the CWU 44. After Alt hit Drayton Lehman for nine yards, Alt went down the middle to Dhel Duncan-Busby who hauled in the 35-yard touchdown over his shoulder to boost the lead to 17-0 with still 2:27 to play in the opening quarter.
Momentum stayed with the Beavers into the second quarter when turnovers started to play a big part. Early in the second quarter, Alt was pressured and his pass was intercepted by Tanner Volk at the BSU 40 and returned 24 yards to the 16. Just three plays later, Central Washington was on the board on a three-yard TD pass from Kennedy McGill to Darrien Gaines to trim the lead to 17-7.
The teams traded possessions before the second turnover of the game led to another Wildcats score. After a big run by Gronski netted 14 yards, he fumbled and Central Washington recovered at the BSU 44. Eight plays later, the Wildcats found the end zone to leave BSU with the 17-14 lead. It was nearly a goal line stand, as it took Central Washington three rushes from the one-yard line to find the end zone.
Central Washington tried to tie it up before the half, but Josh Jones' 43-yard attempt into the wind sailed wide left leaving Bemidji State with the 17-14 halftime lead.
Coming out of the half, the Wildcats embarked on a 10-play drive that took almost seven minutes off the clock and ended with a 20-yard touchdown run by Justice Taylor to push Central Washington to their first lead at 21-17.
The defenses took over the rest of the third quarter leaving the score still at 21-17. Into the final frame, Bemidji State mounted a drive. A big 35-yard strike from Alt to Duncan-Busby had the Beavers in business at the CWU 31. Gronski took over with 17 yards over the next two snaps to move the ball into the red zone at the 14. A rush for no gain, an incomplete pass and then three-yard run left BSU with a fourth-and-seven at the 11. Alt rolled out and tried to find a receiver, but his pass was intercepted at the CWU 2.
With still 12:48 left to play in the game, there was still plenty of time for the Beavers. Central Washington then went on an improbable 19-play drive that would chew the remainder of the clock. The first big play on the drive was converting a third-and-12 that Cameron Daniels picked up getting 12 yards on the ground to move the chains. Then on fourth-and-one at the BSU 27, the Wildcats went for it with two minutes to play to try and seal the victory. McGill took the snap and was able to fight for two yards to move the chains one last time. CWU was then able to run the clock out for the 21-17 victory. Of the 71-yards gained on the final drive, only 13 of those yards came on one pass completion near midfield.
The biggest stat of the game outside of the 3-0 turnover differential was that Central Washington won the time of possession at 43:04-16:56. Total yards were close with Central Washington holding the 357-345 advantage. While Bemidji State held the 228-135 advantage through the air, the Wildcats had the 222-117 edge on the ground. CWU also had 25 first downs to 10 for the Beavers.
Alt completed 13-23 for 228 yards and a touchdown. Baron had three receptions for 83 yards, with Duncan-Busby adding two catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Gronski rushed nine times for 59 yards, with Booker adding eight carries for 35 yards and a score.
Jarrett Klein, Cole Sorby and Spencer Wehr all had double digits in tackles. Klein had 11 tackles, seven solo, with a tackle for loss. Sorby and Wehr added 10 tackles apiece. Max Buduris had nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Marcus Hansen and Cade Barrett each added a tackle for loss with Barrett's being the lone sack in the game.
This caps another great season of Beaver Football. For the third straight year, Bemidji State reached the second round of the NCAA Playoffs and hosted their first-ever second round NCAA Playoff game this year.
For more information on the Bemidji State Football program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversFB). Like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
